(81)
PA (if not on file)
BRIEFING FOR PRIME MINISTER'S QUESTION TIME: 23 JANUARY
SIX-MONTH EXEMPTION FOR HONG KONG FROM BAN ON TRADE IN IVORY
AKC
LINE TO TAKE
ENCOURAGEMENT TO POACHING
RECEIVED IN
Го
12FEB 1990
DESE
INDE
Nonsense to suggest that decision to enter a six-month
Reservation on Hong Kong's behalf is any threat to living elephants or will provide a new outlet for poachers. Hong Kong has already imposed a total ban on imports, which will ensure that there is no
loophole for the entry of illegal ivory onto the market and therefore no incentive for poaching
Makes no sense to attempt to import ivory, illegally, into Hong Kong where there is already a 600 tonne stock of legally-acquired ivory and little or no domestic market
SPLIT BETWEEN FCO AND DOE?
No.
FCO, DOE and Hong Kong all share same commitment to the
preservation of the African elephant. Believe that this interim
arrangement will best ensure that Hong Kong can comply with a ban on
trade in six months' time.
CONTRADICTS POLICY ON CONSERVATION?
UK and Hong Kong both committed to conservation of the African elephant and CITES; purpose of Reservation entered on 17 January is to allow Hong Kong to dispose of its legally-acquired stock of ivory in an orderly fashion, and to enable ivory carvers and workers to find alternative employment
New legislation to implement ban will shortly be introduced into
the Hong Kong Legislative Council
Hong Kong will not issue export licences to countries which have
agreed to the CITES ban.